Chosen from 7,000 hopefuls to be one of 10 finalists in Takeover Records' "Sign My Band Contest," local band Strike.Fire.Fall is quickly gaining recognition outside of its usual State College venue.

The 10 finalists are competing for both a record deal with Takeover Records and the chance to tour with Yellowcard next fall.

Through the record label, the winner will get promotion through several different Internet sources, magazines and through the tour.

Now through next Tuesday, people can listen to and vote for the bands every week at www.pure
volume.com/listenersarea/signup.

Each week bands will be eliminated, leaving two finalists in the last week.

"We had all heard about the contest, because it was publicized a lot by Yellowcard," lead singer and guitarist Shawn Harrington (junior-engineering science) said.

The band sent in its demo at a tent that was set up to publicize the contest during the Vans Warped Tour.

Strike.Fire.Fall formed two years ago at Penn State.

"Shawn, Paul and I knew each other from high school and Paul and Chris were friends from college," bassist Dan Steinberg (junior-sociology) said. "They were all at Penn State and I transferred up here.

"We have been playing together ever since," he added.

Strike.Fire.Fall's influences range from bands like The Get Up Kids to newer bands like Taking Back Sunday, Harrington said.

"Some of our newer stuff that's coming out in December is more '80s influenced," drummer Paul Kushner said.

Not only has the band's sound caught the attention of Takeover Records, but since entering the contest, the band has also been pursued by other record labels, too.

"We've been contacted by more people than we could dream of," Steinberg said.

"It has really expanded our fan base."

Strike.Fire.Fall has been contacted by labels including Sony, Columbia and Electra Records, all of which have requested demos from the band.

At 8:30 p.m. next Tuesday, the last day of voting, the band will be playing a show at Crowbar, 420 W. College Ave.

"Vote for us and come check out our show," Steinberg said. "We will be handing out free CDs."

For more information, visit the band's Web site at www.strikefirefall.com.